Luke 19:33
ESV
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
NIV
As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
NASB
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, 'Why are you untying the colt?'
CSB
As they were untying the young donkey, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the donkey?"
NLT
And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, 'Why are you untying that colt?'
KJV
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
NKJV
But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
What does Luke 19:33 mean?
Two of Jesus' disciples—we don't know which or even if they were from the Twelve—have followed Jesus' instructions to go to a nearby village and bring back a donkey and her colt (Matthew 21:2). Jesus has told them that they will be challenged and what they are to say. Apparently without questioning, the two obey (Luke 19:28–32).Some commentators suggest that Jesus had already interacted with the donkeys' owner beforehand, which is why He knows where it will be. That theory would not be contradicted by this verse; the owners may be expecting Jesus and don't immediately recognize His disciples. The text isn't clear enough to say one way or the other.
Both Mark and Luke mention the owners asking about the colt, not its mother (Matthew 21:2; Mark 11:2, 4–5). It seems the owners don't have a problem with the disciples taking the mother, but don't understand why they want a colt. That the colt is with his mother, and that Jesus wants both, suggests the colt is quite young. The fact the owners seem to think the disciples would naturally take the mother without the colt suggests the colt is being trained to be apart from its mother. Donkeys are social animals. It's very possible the colt is already weaned and ready for training. So why bring the mother? The colt is about to go into Jerusalem, surrounded by a massive crowd of shouting people (Luke 19:37). His mom's presence will go a long way in easing his anxiety.
